Rep. Heise offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 98.   

            A resolution to call upon the Governor and the Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit to conduct an immediate financial audit of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

            Whereas, The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) provides drinking water and/or sewer services to 127 communities in Southeast Michigan. The system serves approximately 4 million Michigan residents and thousands of businesses and guests from around the world; and

            Whereas, The DWSD was involved in a 35-year lawsuit filed in 1977 against it and the City of Detroit by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for violations of the Federal Clean Water Act; and

            Whereas, Federal Judge Sean Cox dismissed the lawsuit in March of 2013 citing 'substantial compliance' with the Federal Clean Water Act; and

            Whereas, Numerous issues remain with the financial stability of the DWSD, including a reported debt of $6.5 billion to the customer communities of the DWSD, including the City of Detroit; and

            Whereas, An emergency manager has been designated by the Governor to assist the City of Detroit in stabilizing its finances during a time of financial crisis and transition for the city; and

            Whereas, On behalf of the 127 communities served by the DWSD in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan House of Representatives has serious concerns regarding the financial stability and continued viability of the DWSD. An accurate and objective financial audit is needed so that the customer communities can ascertain the future of the system, the costs associated with it, and necessary next steps; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we call upon the Governor and the Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit to conduct an immediate financial audit of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department as part of the Emergency Manager’s ongoing efforts to achieve financial stability for the City of Detroit; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit.